Startup Weekend Jordan develops solutions to address coronavirus-related challenges

AMMAN— In light of the global pandemic, the Startup Weekend Jordan COVID-19 Online edition geared itself in to developing solutions that address novel coronavirus-related challenges between April 16 and April 18.

During the event, participants formed teams, exchanged ideas and learned how to pitch, aimed at reflecting clear articulations of their roles in tackling the pandemic.

“Long story short, the concrete goal of Startup Jordan is to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life,” Anas Al Chalab, member of the organising team said during a briefing session held on April 13.

During the 54-hour online event which stretched over three consecutive days, 68 entrepreneurs from various sectors came together in 35 teams, to launch their startups and be part in establishing Jordan’s unique path in responding effectively to the outbreak.

Mentors, industry experts, innovators, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus and technical professionals aided the participants in taking the best of their personal experiences, in addition to helping them actualise a prototype, in order to bring about adequate solutions that tackle issues deemed most pressing, currently the outbreak.

“The first virtual hackathon was successful, given the participants’ effective engagement that showed great commitment,” organisers said.

The event was implemented by ZAD Consultancy, via the video conferencing platform Zoom and chat application Discord. Its main partners were the European Union (EU), Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) and Zain Jordan.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for everyone interested in the topic to inspire and be inspired, to work together and develop inclusive solutions,” Startup Weekend’s official website read.

Three winners were chosen by a panel of judges, who examined each team’s pitch — giving priority to product execution, customer validation and general business modelling.

Omar Talafeeh, a participant, said that the thing he liked the most in the event, was the presence of mentors, noting that “the flexibility of remote work between teams added a lot of value to my idea”.

“I loved the organising team’s creativity in managing the virtual event, especially their attention to details,” Zaid Rababa, another participant said.

Techstars, a US-based NGO, began holding “Start-up Weekends” in 2007 as events where individuals interested in entrepreneurship gather for three days to learn about starting businesses, receive mentorship and training and develop their own ideas.

Jordan, introduced to Start-up Weekend in 2011, has a community of entrepreneurs who under the startup umbrella have helped many build a legacy in the Jordanian market, according to organisers.